Plum Chutney

Chutney or as we Bengalis call it - Chaatni is a quintessential Bengali lunch item. It is served after the meal as a final course. When Debarshi’s mom prepared this Plum Chutney for lunch, I had no idea this could be so versatile. The fact is, you can have this with anything. Below are a few ideas:

• With your authentic Bengali lunch (of course!)
• As a preserve with a good Bread and Cheese
• With leftover roasted meat
• As a dip with grilled chicken
• As a spread for your turkey sandwich
• As a dip with your burger
• As a dip with savory snacks like Samosa, Pakora, Kabab and spring rolls
• Pair with plain Parathas
• As a spread on crackers with cream cheese

Plum, raisins and just enough sugar makes this perfect chutney. If you are used to readymade chutneys and preserves, then it is time to give homemade a try. If you love making chutneys at home, this is the right recipe for you. The very taste of this chutney will tingle your senses with sweet and tangy flavors. Plus, by preparing this yourself you will be assured that no artificial preservatives or spoiled fruits have been used. This is delicious, lip smacking and absolutely unique. And, it has been tried and tested by my mom-in law for several years. 

I don’t have to write here the numerous health benefits Plum have. They are rich in antioxidants, relieve constipation and lower cholesterol levels. They are also an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and fibers. So, what are you waiting for? Grab a box of plums on your next grocery shopping. Eat some fresh and cook some for this chutney. This fresh chutney is indeed a refreshing change from our usual condiments like ketchup and barbecue sauce. 

This chutney also makes a cute present. Just spoon it into a small mason jar and tie it up with a beautiful ribbon. It can be kept in the fridge for at least 10 days (that’s the time period we had it in our fridge).

Ingredients:

• Plum – 4, cut into big pieces
• Salt – ½ teaspoon
• White Vinegar – 2 tablespoons
• White Sugar – ¼ cup
• Raisins – ¼ cup

Directions:

• Boil the Plums in a pressure cooker with the Salt over medium high heat.
• Once the pressure drops, crush the plums with a wooden spatula or a potato masher.
• Add the White Vinegar. Mix and bring to a boil over medium high heat.
• Add the Sugar. Mix and continue boiling for another 3-4 minutes.
• Add the Raisins. Mix and reduce the heat to low.
• Continue cooking for 20 minutes till it reaches a thick consistency.
• Cool and serve.

Serve this chutney with the following:

• My Cheap and Delicious Cheese Plate
• Pyaz Ke Pakore (Onion Fritters)
• Mughlai Kabab
• Tandoori Chicken
• Samosa (Spicy Potato stuffed Pastries)
• Meethi Chutney Matar Phulki
• Alu Tikiya ki Chaat
• Methi Pakora (Gram flour and Fenugreek leaves Fritters)
• Alu Cutlet (Crispy Shallow Fried Potato Patties)
• Indian Spiced Tzatziki Sauce (Cucumber Raita)
• Shorshe Diye Bata Mach (Bengali recipe: Fish in Mustard Gravy)

Jalapeno Poppers with Cream Cheese and Bacon

These Jalapeno Poppers are a great addition to our movie nights. Since they do not contain any added carbs they are also a nice appetizer in our Keto diet. However, the beauty of this dish is, you can enjoy them anytime you want, Keto or not. They are the perfect party finger foods. If you don’t mind a little heat in your food, you will become seriously addicted to these. They taste absolutely creamy, cheesy and decadent. 

I love these types of recipes where you don’t have to work a lot to eat something delicious and this recipe is incredibly easy. All you have to do is mix the cream cheese with the cheddar, garlic and onion and stuff it in halved jalapeños, then bake. That’s it! no mess no fuss. Yeah don’t forget to wear gloves otherwise there will be a lot of mess and fuss. Believe me, last time I did this mistake and after a while my hands started burning really bad and if that wasn’t the whole punishment! I accidentally touched my face! Ah! So you can understand how a small step is so important.

If you have friends coming over, having a movie or game night and want to prepare something quick then this is definitely the best thing to go for. Everyone just loves these irresistible Poppers. Plus, the convenience of using only a handful of ingredients is always a plus side. As I always say, the less time you spend in the kitchen, the more time you have with your loved ones.

For the Keto dieters, these Jalapeno poppers are not just party food but just the right food for their diet. The cheese and bacon adds in all the necessary fats and since we wont be wrapping the bacon around the jalapenos, it also saves a ton of time.

Bon Appetit!

Ingredients (serves 2):

• Jalapeno – 2, medium, washed
• Cheddar Cheese - 2 tablespoons, shredded or cut into small cubes
• Cream Cheese - 1 ounce, softened
• Onion - 1 tablespoon, chopped
• Garlic - 1 clove, minced
• Bacon - 2 slices (pre-cooked)

Others:

• Parchment Paper
• Disposable gloves

Core the Jalapenos:

• Coring will help to remove most of the heat because we will be cutting out and removing the insides of the pepper. 
• Start by wearing disposable gloves so that the seeds do not burn your hands. Always wash your hands after touching the Jalapenos and do not touch your eyes or face while cutting them.
• Cut the stems and slice the jalapenos in half.
• Take a spoon or a short knife and scrape out the membrane working from the bottom to the top of the pepper. 
• Your jalapenos are now ready to be filled.

Directions:

• In a small bowl, mix the Cream Cheese, Cheddar cheese, Onion and Garlic. 
• Crumble the Bacon strips and stir in the above mix.

Tip: If the Cream Cheese is too hard, put it in the microwave and heat for a few seconds.

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. 
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Fill the Jalapeno halves with the mixture pressing lightly to stuff it properly.
• Place onto the lined baking sheet.

• Bake about 15 minutes or until the peppers are soft. Remember if the peppers are not yet soft then they will taste very hot.
• Remove from the oven and serve hot.

Tips:

• When properly cooked, the peppers wont taste hot but still carry a hint of heat and flavor.
• For an enhanced palate, use a flavored cheddar cheese.
• Make sure not to overfill your jalapeno halves because the cheese will ooze out when they bake.
• Don’t forget to wear gloves and wash your hands well after handling the jalapenos.
• Make sure to soften the cream cheese. I always keep it outside, on the kitchen counter for 15-20 minutes before mixing it in any dish. It makes it soft and easier to mix in.
• You can prepare some extra filling and use it as a dip or a spread.
• Buy Jalapenos which are about 3-4 inches long. The smaller ones are harder to stuff in. 
• If you like spicy and hot food, feel free to leave some of the seeds in the jalapenos (keep a drink ready at hand, just in case).

Cooking the Bacon:

• I find cooking the Bacon in the microwave a lot easier than doing it on the stovetop. 
• Place a sheet of paper towel on a microwave-safe plate.
• Lay the Bacon slices on the paper towel in a single layer.
• Place another sheet of paper towel on top.
• Heat in the microwave on high for 2-3 minutes (usually the packet will have the cooking time mentioned on it).
• Remove from the microwave, wait for a few minutes then crumble.

Recommended Reading:

• Debarshi’s Amuse Bouche
• My Cheap and Delicious Cheese Plate
• Pyaz Ke Pakore (Onion Fritters)
• Cheela (Savory Indian Crepes)
• Mughlai Kabab
• Tandoori Chicken
• French Chops
• Samosa (Spicy Potato stuffed Pastries)
• Alur Bora (Mamma’s Potato with Garlic fritters)
• Kabiraji
• Un-Sweet Tea
• Allahabadi Alu Patty (Puff Pastry with Spicy Potato Filling)
• Veggie Puffs
• Lovely Cranberry Margarita

My Cheap and Delicious Cheese Plate

Photo Courtesy: Dr. Debarshi Chatterji

Movie night! Ah how I keep waiting for you. I don’t remember if I have ever written about our ‘Legendary Movie Nights’ but they are our guilty pleasure nights when we eat anything we want without worrying about the calories. So, Mozzarella Sticks, Fried Fish, Chicken Nuggets, Pizza and Ice Cream are a big yes! The idea is to eat different varieties of finger foods till we are full and enjoy back to back movies or binge watch series.

This weekend, I decided to have a lovely Cheese Plate for our movie night. I wanted to get a readymade cheese plate where we will get everything pre selected and arranged. However, when I went to buy it, the price was a shock! For those who don’t know, even the smallest cheese plates can be pretty expensive. Now they usually have many new and different types of cheese and meats in them along with fruits, crackers, olives and dips. However, I didn’t want to spend a lot of money for a fun evening, so after some consideration and research, I decided that since neither Debarshi nor I am fond of cured meats like Prosciutto and Salami so they are off the list. Also all the expensive cheeses like Gouda, Manchego or Mimolette are just too expensive to buy for a fun movie night. Now I had already decided to include a cheese plate so I thought why not create my own version of it? That way, I can include all the fun and delicious items that we like without worrying about the cost. I read somewhere that it is best to serve at least one familiar Cheese and that for us is Pepper Jack. It’s spicy and has a beautiful taste, also not at all expensive. You can in fact include any cheese you like (example: Cheddar). So, I got a big pack of Pepper Jack cheese and once that was settled, I moved on to the next item of my plate - Bread.

A cheese plate asks for a selection of Breads, you can go for Baguette, Bread Sticks, Crackers, Garlic Toasties or even Flatbread. I got a baguette, cut it up into small pieces and laid it on a big tray. Yes, you will need a big flat serving plate or tray to show off the items even if they are budget friendly. Presentation matters! 

Next on the list: Condiments, now this section totally depends on your personal taste. I read that Artichoke Hearts, Roasted Red Peppers, Horseradish and Caponata (it’s a Sicilian eggplant dish, sort of a salad) go very well in a cheese plate and if you like to go for an extra mile Caramelized Onions are an excellent option which can be prepared at home within a short time. Another quick and fuss-free option is to go for jarred condiments and vegetables, sweet preserves or tart chutneys. I got Honey and Spicy Mustard for my plate.

Next section is Fruits and Nuts. I had Grapes and Toasted Salted Almonds at home so I included them but you can also use Candied Nuts and Pistachios or go for an assorted option of seasonal and dried fruits which can include Figs, Cherries, Apples and Pears. I also included Stuffed Green Olives but you can also go for Kalamata. Finally, is there anything better than Chocolates? Yes! to complete the sweet part, add some pieces of chocolate on the tray. 

After the sweet part comes the savory which is Meat. Here you can be as creative as you like because it will depend on what you like best. You can go for Ham (Smoked, Peppered, Black Forest), Smoked Turkey Breast, Roast Beef, Salami (Hard or Genoa). For me Chicken is always the best option so I went for a delicious Chicken Andouille Sausage. You can also get Buffalo Chicken Breast or even Sliced Pepperoni whatever you like.

Of course there are no special serving tips for my Cheap and Delicious Cheese Plate but some time soon I will try arranging the real cheese platter with all the delicious and expensive cheese and meats and then I will be able to share further information with you. Till then how about you enjoy a movie night with friends and family with your own version of cheese plate. Let me know what all you included. My only advice is, do not include expensive cheese for a group of more than ten or for a fun evening. Try going for the cheap ones which taste great like Pepper Jack, Provolone, Sharp Cheddar, Colby Jack or Swiss cheese whichever you like best. Serve with some tooth picks and paper towels and enjoy your own homemade cheese plate with your favorite movie.

For the Movie Nights:

Mozzarella Sticks, Fried Fish, Chicken Nuggets, Pizza and Ice Cream

To create My Cheap and Delicious Cheese Plate:

A big flat serving plate or tray 

Cheese: Pepper Jack, Provolone, Sharp Cheddar, Colby Jack or Swiss cheese 

Bread: Baguette

Condiments: Honey and Spicy Mustard 

Fruits and Nuts: Grapes and Toasted Salted Almonds, Stuffed Green Olives and Chocolates

Meat: Chicken Andouille Sausage

To create a fun Cheese Plate for Date Night:

A beautiful platter or wooden cutting board

Cheese: Gouda, Manchego or Mimolette 

Bread: Baguette, Bread Sticks, Crackers, Garlic Toasties or Flatbread

Condiments: Artichoke Hearts, Roasted Red Peppers, Horseradish, Caponata, Caramelized Onions or jarred condiments and vegetables, sweet preserves or tart chutneys 

Fruits and Nuts: Candied Nuts and Pistachios, assorted option of seasonal and dried fruits which can include Figs, Cherries, Apples and Pears, Kalamata Olives, Chocolates

Meat: Ham (Smoked, Peppered, Black Forest), Smoked Turkey Breast, Roast Beef, Salami (Hard or Genoa), Prosciutto, Buffalo Chicken Breast or Sliced Pepperoni

Recommended Reading (easy and quick recipes for your Movie Night):

• Pyaz Ke Pakore (Onion Fritters)
• Meethi Chutney Matar Phulki
• Alu Tikiya ki Chaat (Crispy Fried Potato Patties with Dried Peas, Yogurt, Chutney and Spices)
• Methi Pakora (Gram flour and Fenugreek leaves Fritters)
• Palak ke Pakore (Gram flour and Spinach Fritters)
• Dhania Chutney (Cilantro Chutney)
• Tamarind Chutney – sweetness with tang
• Jalapeno Poppers with Cream Cheese and Bacon
• Plum Chutney